Recertifying mONTANA DIGITAL Referees

digital REFEREE RECERTIFICATION

Each year, U.S. Soccer Federation referees must recertify to be eligible to officiate any U.S. Soccer sanctioned league/club matches, friendlies, or tournaments. The registration period runs from July 1 to June 30th of the following year and registrations are valid until December 31st of the year certified. (For example: if one certifies for 2026 on August 26th, 2025 their certification is valid until December 31, 2026.)

Certifications may lapse for no more than 3 years before you are required to take a beginner referee course again. If you have 5 or more years of past refereeing experience and your license lapses for 3 years, please contact us before signing up for a beginner course.

The recertification course is all online. There is no requirement for any in-person field sessions. Once the SRC is notified of your recertification completion, a current year badge will be mailed directly to you, please allow 2-3 weeks to receive your badge. Make sure the addresses entered into OMS and the U.S. Soccer Learning Center are current and can receive USPS mail. Returned badges will be subject to a re-ordering fee.

If you are over 18-years-old, you must consent to a U.S. Soccer Learning Center background check. This background check is completely separate from any MYSA or coaching background check you may already have completed and they are non-transferable.

Please follow the steps below to ensure a smooth recertification process.

VISIT THE u.s. sOCCER lEARNING cENTER

U.S. Soccer Learning Center

Visit U.S. Soccer Learning Center Digital Referee courses page to begin. We recommend using Google Chrome on a desktop computer.

Digital Referees have 2 options to choose from for recertification! Both are 100% online.

Re-take the 2026 Digital Referee License course and stay a Digital Referee. ($40 + Fees)
The Digital Referee license is a great way to get a badge to begin working younger, small sided games, adult recreational or for those taking casual assignments. Once you have a few games and if you feel ready to upgrade, we recommend taking the bridge course. Those over 18 years old must have a current background check ($23) and SafeSport completed.
Upgrade to a full 2026 Referee by taking the Digital Referee Recertification Bridge to Referee course. ($50 + Fees)
The Digital Referee bridge course is designed to fill in the gaps between the Digital course and the beginner Referee course which has an online and in-person field session requirement. The course is longer but once completed you will be a full referee, just like those that were able to attend an in-person field training session. Assignors will be notified of your upgrade and you may be able to do higher level youth/adult competitive matches.Those over 18 years old must have a current background check ($23) and SafeSport completed.

Step 1: Select course and begin lessons

Whichever course you decide to take, the process is similar, just be sure you choose carefully and read all of the course details before proceeding. The course timeline tab will show you the lesson requirements. Click the Proceed to Registration button when ready.

Step 2: accept forms and pay

Each form must be selected and agreed to before you can proceed.

You'll have the choice to pay with a Credit/Debit card with or an ACH Payment fee. Fees vary for each method.

Step 3: Begin assignments

ALL LESSONS MUST BE COMPLETED AND MARKED "SATISFACTORY" If you need to stop during a lession, we recommend exiting the course and logging out of the Learning Center each time so that your progress is saved. If you close the browser window there is a chance your progress may not be saved properly.

Step 4: log into oms and update info

OMS Member Login

Visit OMS MT Member Login page to update your personal information. This is our Montana referee registration system and is used for communication, badge mailings, and some recertification courses.

If you have never logged in before, your username is the same email address as the Learning Center profile and your default password is your LASTNAME all in caps. You will be prompted to reset your password the first time you login.

When you update your information, do not check this box! It will limit you from receiving assignments in Assignr.

Step 6: Approval & BAdge Mailing

Once the SRC received clearance from U.S. Soccer of your background check and SafeSport, if required, we will approve your license and mail your referee badge to the address entered into OMS. (Feel free to double check this address, we see a lot of returned badges.)